Kravitz: Colts grasping for answers

The Star's Stephen Holder and Bob Kravitz discuss the lack of Colts playmakers in 40-11 rout.
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Colts center Samson Satele, left, and guard Mike McGlynn look on as their quarterback Andrew Luck is pinned on the ground after getting sacked by Darnell Dockett, left, and Calais Campbell during the third quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star(Photo: Matt Kryger)Buy Photo

A little over a month ago, the Indianapolis Colts were a true-blue Super Bowl contender. They had knocked off the 49ers in San Francisco, beaten Seattle and Denver at home, and all seemed right with the world despite the spate of injuries that hit the team's offense.

Then Reggie Wayne got hurt late in the Broncos game.

Everything changed.

This has not been close to the same team since it lost Wayne, having moved to 2-2 without him after Sunday's breathtakingly awful 40-11 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Colts miss his leadership, miss his game, and it's been manifest throughout the past several weeks.

The truth is, the Colts have played three decent quarters out of the past 16 — one great one against Houston and two against Tennessee. And that's it.

"It's the same (conversation) and it's embarrassing," said Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who was spitting razor blades shortly after the game. "I can't put my thumb on it. They beat our butts. It was lack of execution again."

During a roughly 10-minute postgame news conference, Luck used the words "stink," "stinks" and even "stinky" a total of six times. It seemed about right for a game the Colts never showed up to play. This is a team at the crossroads, a team that has lost whatever identity it established earlier this season.

Where do the Colts hang their hats now? What do they do well? Coach Chuck Pagano wants a team that can run and stop the run. It hasn't done either the past month and change.

"Sometimes it's like we're not watching the same Colts team we saw before," defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois said. "These last five games, we've got to establish some kind of identity, whatever it is. We've got to stop with the slow starts. We're done with them. This is the last one. Because if it isn't, we're going to be sitting somewhere watching the playoff games in January."

Answers? They don't have any.

They've addressed the slow starts. When that didn't work, they stopped addressing them, at least publicly. But this goes beyond the slow-start issue. This goes to who they are, which, this past month and a half, has been an ordinary .500 team that has taken advantage of a fast start to the season and a decrepit division.

When defensive lineman Cory Redding was asked about the slow starts, he shook his head. "Trust me, it's the million-dollar question," he said. "I don't know, man. If I knew, we wouldn't start slow anymore. I don't know. Next question."

Who's to blame?

The Twitter world wants to throw the coaches, specifically the head coach, under the bus for the consistently slow starts, but this is not a scene out of "Remember the Titans." These are professionals, grown men. It's up to them, not Pagano, not offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, not defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, to inspire with some Rockne-ian speech.

Said Luck: "It's our culture; you can start putting credence in the Twitter world (if you want), whatever that world is. Football is the ultimate team game. It's so easy to watch it and throw a person under the bus and say it was his fault. But we know, you guys know, it's so far from the truth. If anything, the slow starts are on the quarterback. It's unfair to single out one coach for that."

One person cannot be held responsible for overwhelmingly awful numbers like this: trailing 27-3, 274 to 58 in total yards, 0-for-5 for the Colts on third downs, all in the first half.

"We didn't show up," Redding said. "We've got to do some soul searching, some gut-check calls, some looking in the mirror, some accountability, whatever it takes. And that starts with me."

"Next man up" now sounds like more of a threat than a promise. They haven't replaced Wayne, even by committee. In the first half, Samson Satele had one more pass reception than Darrius Heyward-Bey, who makes you pine for the halcyon days of Donnie Avery. David Reed? How he maintains a roster spot is a continuing mystery. At this point, what would it hurt to give Da'Rick Rogers a shot?

This may not be a playoff one-and-done team because the teams vying for that sixth seed, all of them 5-6, are nothing special. The Colts ought to win that first playoff game at home, assuming they don't fall to the fourth seed. But after that? If this was October, you'd say they had a puncher's chance against New England or Denver. Not anymore.

Not without Wayne — and Donald Thomas, and Dwayne Allen, and Ahmad Bradshaw, and Vick Ballard. This wasn't a very deep team from the start, a team with 10- or 11-win talent. Then they lost their best wide receiver. Lost their best tight end. Lost their best running back. Lost one of their best offensive linemen.

I asked Luck, "Where is this team right now?"

"That's a good question," he said. "That's a very good question. I don't think I can really big-picture it right after coming off the field after getting our butts beat like that. I guess we're sitting at 7-4, but I don't know what that means, either."

There are more questions now than at any other time of this season, but the answers are elusive. They will win the AFC South because, well, somebody has to, but will they go anywhere in the postseason?

Doubtful. Very doubtful.

Bob Kravitz is a columnist for The Indianapolis Star. Call him at (317) 444-6643 or email bob.kravitz@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @bkravitz.

Colts center Samson Satele, left, and guard Mike McGlynn look on as their quarterback Andrew Luck is pinned on the ground after getting sacked by Darnell Dockett, left, and Calais Campbell during the third quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts running back Trent Richardson sits on the bench as the Colts lose to the Cardinals during an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck walks off the field after failing on a fourth down play. Indianapolis Colts play the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, November 24, 2013, afternoon at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale AZ. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano and Cardinals coach Bruce Arians hug at the end of an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. The Cardinals beat the Colts. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

T.Y. Hilton of the Colts meets with Bruce Arians of the Cardinals after an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell tries to tackle Colts quarterback Andrew Luck as he throws the ball during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby runs the ball for a touchdown after intercepting a pass thrown by Colts quarterback Andrew Luck during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck runs off the field after throwing an interception against the Cardinals during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Cory Redding, a defensive end for the Colts, reacts on the bench as they play the Cardinals during an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman looks to put a hit on Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano,right, is greeted by Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians,left, prior to their game. Indianapolis Colts play the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, November 24, 2013, afternoon at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale AZ. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell of the Cardinals hit Colts quarterback Andrew Luck as he looks to throw the ball during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Luck threw the ball for an interception by Karlos Dansby of the Cardinals. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver LaVon Brazill and the other offensive players sit on the bench. Indianapolis Colts play the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, November 24, 2013, afternoon at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale AZ. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

T.Y. Hilton, left and Darrius Heyward-Bey of the Colts celebrate a touchdown against the Cardinals during an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Cardinals kicker Jay Feely, left, misses a tackle on David Reed of the Colts as Kevin Minter of the Cardinals looks to on during the third quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is sacked by Darnell Dockett, left and Calais Campbell of the Cardinals during the third quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd brings down a pass as Vontae Davis of the Colts defends during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Coltes cornerback Vontae Davis wraps up Andre Roberts of the Cardinals during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald scores a touchdown as Cassius Vaughn and Antoine Bethea defend during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Michael Floyd celebrates with Larry Fitzgerald after an Arizona Cardinals touchdown against the Colts during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton is brought down by Karlos Dansby and Jasper Brinkley of the Cardinals during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois chases after Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer for a sack during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois chases after Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer for a sack during the second quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts cornerback Darius Butler hits Patrick Peterson of the Cardinals causing him to bobble the ball as he makes the tackle during the first quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Peterson did not fumble the ball. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Rashad Johnson and Tyrann Mathieu of the Cardinals look on as T.Y. Hilton of the Colts tries to hold on to the football during the first quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts running backs hits a gap against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck passes the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts running back Trent Richardson looks for space aggainst the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts safety LaRon Landry puts a hit on Cardinals tight end Rob Housler during the first quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby tries to tackle Colts quarterback Andrew Luck during the first quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby tries to tackle Colts quarterback Andrew Luck during the first quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck looks on from the sidelines as they play the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter an NFL game at The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. on Sunday, November 24, 2013. Matt Kryger / The Star Matt Kryger / The Star